How to remove Stepik ransomware and recover files
Easy tips to delete Stepik ransomware and decrypt data
Stepik ransomware is a ransomware-type infection that is designed to encrypt files, append the .stepik extension to their filenames and create “RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt” text file (a ransom note). For example, a file 1.jpg would be renamed to “1.jpg” to “1.jpg.stepik”, “2.jpg” to “2.jpg.stepik”, and this applies for all encrypted files.
The ransom states that all stored files have been encrypted and that any attempts to restore them using any third party software will result in the permanent data loss. It further instructs them to contact the crooks behind the infection and purchase a private decryption key from them.
[email protected] or [email protected] – two email addresses are provided for the victims to establish communication with the crooks. It is stated that the payment information will be provided once after the contact.
It is rarely possible to decrypt the files without decryption tools that only crooks behind the infection have. Even though, it is strongly not recommended to contact/ pay to the crooks under any circumstances. These people often do not provide the decryption tool even if all their demands are met.
In such a case, the best way is to remove Stepik ransomware and recover the files using existing backups. If there no backup files exist, you should once check if Shadow Copies exist- these are automatically designed backups from Windows OS.
However, sometimes, even such Shadow Copies are deleted by ransomware in order to make the decryption process harden for the users. If Stepik ransomware bears this potential and deleted the Shadow Copies on your system, you left with no other option that to rely on third party data recovery tools.
Below the post, in the data recovery section, you will find complete step-by-step guide to recover the files using the stated alternatives. Additionally, there you will also find both manual as well as automatic guide to remove Stepik ransomware from the system.
How did Stepik ransomware enter my system?
Ransomware is often distributed through emails, Trojans, fake software updaters, unreliable sources for downloading files/ programs, software cracking tools. Users infect their systems through emails by opening malicious attachments or files downloaded by website links.
Fake software updaters inject malware instead of installing updates, fixing installed software or they exploit software vulnerabilities. Files downloaded from unreliable pages cause harm when users open/ execute them. Cracking tools cause system infection by allegedly bypassing activation keys of paid software.
Full text presented in Stepik ransomware’s ransom note (“RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt”):
all your important files are encrypted!
Any attempts to restore your files with the thrid-party software will be fatal for your files!
RESTORE YOU DATA POSIBLE ONLY BUYING private key from us.
There is only one way to get your files back:
WARNING: 1) install the tor browser (hxxps://www.torproject.org/download)
2)Сreate new email on servis hxxps://mail.tutanota.com/login for contact !
write me on [email protected] or [email protected]
Key Identifier:
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How to prevent ransomware infection?
Links and files/ attachments in any irrelevant emails sent from unknown senders should never be opened. The same applies to the files downloaded from unreliable sources. It is recommended to use official pages and direct links as sources for downloading programs, files.
Installed software should have to be activated and updated using tools/ functions from official software developers. Using other tools can lead to computer infections. A computer should have a reputable antivirus tool installed on it and scanned for threats on regular basis.
Special Offer (For Windows)
Stepik ransomware can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Do make sure to read SpyHunter’s EULA, Threat Assessment Criteria, and Privacy Policy. Spyhunter free scanner downloaded just scans and detect present threats from computers and can remove them as well once, however it requires you to wiat for next 48 hours. If you intend to remove detected therats instantly, then you will have to buy its licenses version that will activate the software fully.
Data Recovery Offer
We Suggest you to choose your lately created backup files in order to restore your encrypted files, however in case if you don’t have any such backups, you can try a data recovery tool to check if you can restore your lost data.
Antimalware Details And User Guide
Step 1: Remove Stepik ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”
Step 2: Delete Stepik ransomware using “System Restore”
Step 1: Remove Stepik ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”
For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.
Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.
For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button. In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.
For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.
Step 2: Delete Stepik ransomware using “System Restore”
Log-in to the account infected with Stepik ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.
Special Offer (For Windows)
Stepik ransomware can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Do make sure to read SpyHunter’s EULA, Threat Assessment Criteria, and Privacy Policy. Spyhunter free scanner downloaded just scans and detect present threats from computers and can remove them as well once, however it requires you to wiat for next 48 hours. If you intend to remove detected therats instantly, then you will have to buy its licenses version that will activate the software fully.
Data Recovery Offer
We Suggest you to choose your lately created backup files in order to restore your encrypted files, however in case if you don’t have any such backups, you can try a data recovery tool to check if you can restore your lost data.
In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”
- During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”
- In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.
- Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”
- Click “Next” on the new windows
- Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to Stepik ransomware infiltration in the PC.
- In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.
Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove Stepik ransomware files if they left in the work-station.
In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.
Important Note: Some variants of Stepik ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.
How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:
In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.
In order to access the files encrypted by Stepik ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.
Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like Stepik ransomware.
Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.
It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.
How to Recover the Files Encrypted by Stepik ransomware?
Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with Stepik ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.
Use of Data Recovery Tool
This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove Stepik ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.
Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.
Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.
Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.
Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.
Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.
Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.
Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.
Special Offer (For Windows)
Stepik ransomware can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Do make sure to read SpyHunter’s EULA, Threat Assessment Criteria, and Privacy Policy. Spyhunter free scanner downloaded just scans and detect present threats from computers and can remove them as well once, however it requires you to wiat for next 48 hours. If you intend to remove detected therats instantly, then you will have to buy its licenses version that will activate the software fully.
Data Recovery Offer
We Suggest you to choose your lately created backup files in order to restore your encrypted files, however in case if you don’t have any such backups, you can try a data recovery tool to check if you can restore your lost data.
